SCI-Arc vs. Southwestern College

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, CA with Southwestern College in Winfield, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwestern College is larger than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (1,041 students vs. 418 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern California Institute of Architecture is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Southwestern College is in Winfield, KS (Distant Town setting).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1; Southwestern College 10:1.

SCI-Arc vs. Southwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCI-Arc or Southwestern College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern California Institute of Architecture than Southwestern College ($28,985 vs. $29,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern College are 15.7% lower than at Southern California Institute of Architecture ($11,465 vs. $13,600).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 41% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southwestern College (about $16,340 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $39,822.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41% higher at SCI-Arc than at Southwestern College (about $16,340 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $39,822.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern College than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (98% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 47.3% larger than aid received by Southwestern College students ($42,627 vs. $28,936).

SCI-Arc vs. Southwestern College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCI-Arc or Southwestern College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Southwestern College and SCI-Arc.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern California Institute of Architecture (1130) is 70 points higher than at Southwestern College (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230; Southwestern College 900/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresSouthwestern College 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCI-Arc - Test optional; Southwestern College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027; Southwestern College Aug 22, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SCI-Arc students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Southwestern College (3.33).
• SCI-Arc has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than Southwestern College (75.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7% at SCI-Arc vs. 19.1% at Southwestern College.

SCI-Arc vs. Southwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCI-Arc and Southwestern College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Southern California Institute of Architecture's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Southwestern College's (57%).
• Graduates from Southwestern College earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than SCI-Arc graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,100 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern College graduates have a $17,000 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($25,750 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, Southwestern College graduates have an estimated $176 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($266 vs. $442).
• More SCI-Arc graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwestern College students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.